Chapter 5: Three years later

"Meagan, come here!" The pumpkin king called as the child ran away from him. "No!" She called back, turning into the living room. "Please? Your mother is waiting!"

"I don't wanna!" She ducked behind the curtains. Jack ran into the room, eyesockets scanning around. "You can't hide from me, pumpkin...Nothing gets past me!" He knelt to check under the table. Meagan remained still, keeping silent. Jack got up and looked around some more. His stare stopped on the curtain as he caught sight of a pair of tiny feet. He smirked and stepped over. "Now where did that little skeleton go..." He grabbed the curtain and pulled it aside. "BOO!" The five year old screamed, startled, but then laughed. She loved it when her father scared her.

He grabbed her in his arms and held onto her as she struggled. "But papa I don't wanna take a bath!" "You have to stay clean, Meagan. Can't have your bones dirty. And we have to wash that pumpkin hair. All those curls need to be kept nice and clean." Meagan pouted, touching her curls. They hung just past her shoulders. Jack smiled, tapping her nose with a bony finger. "Tell you what. If you be a good girl and take your bath, then afterwards I'll take you to get some pumpkin pie. Deal?" Meagan grinned. "Deal! I'll be good!"

"That's my little pumpkin princess." Jack carried her up the stairs and into the bathroom. Sally sat on the bathroom floor, waiting beside the tub. "There you both are. Glad you finally caught her. Ready for your bath, sweetheart?"

"Yeah mama!" Sally looked at Jack with a quizzical look. "How did you get her to change her mind?" Jack kissed her. "Her favorite dessert." Jack answered. Sally giggled, undressing their daughter, then lifting her into the bathtub. "Bubbles!" Meagan exclaimed, splashing at them. Sally smiled. "Alright let's get you cleaned up."
...

"Jack!" Jack stopped, holding his daughter in his arms. As promised they were now going to the Bakeshop. The mayor ran up with his happy face showing. "Afternoon, Mayor! Is everything okay?" Jack asked. "Oh, yes! Pardon me. I just wanted to say hi and see how the family's doing. Hello, Meagan! How's our town's pumpkin princess doing?" Meagan waved a tiny skeletal hand. "Hi, Mr. Mayor! Gweat! Papa's taking me to get some pumpkin pie!"

"You must've been a good girl! Enjoy your pie." Meagan smiled politely. "Thank you Mayor, I will!" The mayor looked up at Jack. "And how are you and Sally doing?" Jack grinned. "Things are perfect, Mayor. We couldn't ask for more!"

"I'm so happy to hear that! Oh wait! There is something I needed to tell you! Food keeps up going missing at the shops. The townsfolk aren't too happy about it and have requested a meeting to find a solution." Jack thought. "That's strange...When is the meeting?"

"It's actually about to start. Can you come by?" Jack looked at his daughter. "Let me stop by the Bakeshop real quick then I'll be right there."

"Thank you Jack! I will let everyone know!" The mayor hurried off and Jack made his way to the shops. He walked into the Bakeshop, stepping up to the counter. "Greetings, good sir! I need a slice of pumpkin pie please for my daughter?"

"Right away, Jack!" The zombie said. He opened the case and pulled out a pie, cutting a slice. He put it on a small plate with a spoon. "On the house, Jack. Have a pleasant day." Jack grinned. "Why thank you! Please accept a tip, at least." He reached into his suit and pulled out a satchel of orange coins, resembling Jack 'o lanterns. "Thank you Jack!" Jack took the pie and left the shop, heading for Town Hall. "Papa has to take care of some business, so can you stay seated and enjoy your pie please?"

"Yes, papa. I promise." Jack kissed the top of her head and stepped inside. He made his way to the front, setting Meagan down beside Corpse kid. He gave her the pie and walked on stage, standing behind the podium. "Good afternoon, Halloween Town! I hear food is still being stolen?"

"Our candy keeps getting taken!"

"Someone is swiping my meat!"

"I have someone snatching my vegetables!"

"My bread gets stolen!"

"Even Behemoth's pumpkins go missing!" Jack held up both hands, gesturing for everyone to calm down. "Everyone please, calm down! There is a simple solution to this dilemma. We can install some security equipment. That way if something goes missing, it'll be caught on tape. Then we can find out who the thief is."

"Or thieves! No one's seen even a glimpse of those three troublemakers in five years!"

"Yeah, They gotta be behind it!"

"They must have a hard time getting their rotten little hands on food!"

"Everyone please! Control yourselves! It's possible we haven't seen them because they left! They might've gone to the Hinterlands and went to one of the other holiday worlds! I'm not saying they're not behind it but we can't point fingers like this without any proof. That's where the cameras will come in. They will catch whoever is doing this in the act, then we can deal with them appropriately. The cameras will be put in every shop before the week is out. Is that okay with everyone?" Jack looked at everyone. They murmered amongst themselves, seeming to have calm down. "Alright, we will try the cameras!"

"Will they really stop the thieves?"

"Will our food really be safe once more?"

"The cameras have to work!"

"I can't wait to catch those thieves!" Jack smiled. "Yes to all your questions, good people of Halloween Town! As the king of Halloween, I declare this issue resolved!" Jack paused a moment so everyone could cheer, then spoke up again. "Is there anything else that needs to be discussed?"

The citizens of Halloween Town talked amongst themselves again. Jack tapped the podium with his fingers. "If there is nothing else then this meeting is adjourned." Jack walked down from the stage and picked up Meagan, holding her in his arm while he picked up the empty plate and spoon, tossing them in a nearby trash bin. Everyone stood up and began to leave. "Is the meeting over, papa?" Jack gave her a nod. "Yes, pumpkin, it is. Now we can go home and put you to sleep. It's your nap time."

"But I'm not tired..." The little girl said through a yawn. Jack looked at her. "You need your sleep so you can grow up to be strong and healthy. Come on." He left Town Hall, wrapping both arms around her while she held onto him. They walked across the square to the gate of the Skellington manor, stepping through and going up the walk. Once in the house they found Sally sitting in the living room. "I heard about the meeting. How did it go?"

"We're going to put up cameras in each shop sometime this week to catch the thief. Everyone thinks it's...them..." Sally looked surprised. "You mean those three?" Jack nodded. "Come on, we have to put this one to sleep. She just ate a piece of pumpkin pie." Sally smiled, taking Meagan in her arms and walking upstairs. She went into the nursery and set her down in her crib, pulling her blanket over her. Jack came in, stepping over to put an arm around his wife's shoulders. He picked up the vampire Teddy and handed it to the child. She hugged it and pulled it under the blanket with her. Sally tucked the blanket around her and kissed her head as she already started to fall asleep. "Goodnight, sweetheart." Jack smiled and kissed her tiny skull. "We love you very much. Sweet dreams, pumpkin..." Once she was asleep, Jack and Sally stood up. As they were leaving Zero flew in, flying into the crib. He made himself comfortable at Meagan's feet. Jack smiled. "Keep an eye on her, Zero." Zero barked once before drifting off into his own sleep. Sally held Jack's hand as she turned off the light, shutting the door as they stepped out.